After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike’s flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike’s arrival would spark from Zack’s teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can’t refuse.

Pike Reynolds knows there won’t be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He’s an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he’s had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can’t risk his heart on another, not even one as hot, as built—and, okay, yeah, as adorable—as Zack.

Living with Pike crumbles Zack’s restraint and fuels his curiosity. He discovers how well they fit together in bed…in the shower…in the hallway… He needs Pike more than he could have imagined, yet he doesn’t know how to be the man Pike deserves

To start my review, here are the notes I took while reading it:

1. These boys are both 23ish, out of college and in their first jobs. BUT, they felt very young to me. As is says in the blurb, one of these boys is a virgin. I would categorize this as YA/NA, with hot sex.

2. There was a LOT of homophobia in this book.

3. This is a spinoff of the #gaymers series.

4. THIS BOOK COMES OUT ON MY BIRTHDAY!

Now let’s break it down.

Our heroes are Navy SEAL Zack and his roommate redhead Pike (best name ever and a ginger!). Zack is gay but has never had a sexual experience with a man before. Pike curls his toes and the romance and sex are inevitable. I’m not a big fan of teen and new adult romances, and ever though these boys are in their early 20’s, they read younger to me. Late teens young. That’s just not my thing but I know that is something a lot of you guys enjoy.

Zack and Pike

Zack’s parents are the WORST. Like, terribly homophobic and hurtful. They treat Zack’s coming out with disgust and Zack is justified in his fear of revealing his sexuality. I really do hate that shit, but it worked here to show Zack’s younger state of mind.

For those of you who have read the #gaymers series, this is a spinoff and you will see characters from that series here. Off Base can be read as a standalone, but it was lovely to see some of the other boys too.

January 9th is my 48th birthday! I got my present early in the form of a military themed M/M romance by one of my favorite authors, Annabeth Albert.